Jason Cardillo » science

Running into the Moon

Jason — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:09:30 +0000

So a while ago, I worked on a project to build a website for the LRO and LCROSS missions at NASA. Basically, this was a mission that sent a satellite to map the moon’s surface and take measurements in preparation for another manned moon landing. LCROSS was added on when it became apparent that there was additional space that shouldn’t go to waste. LCROSS takes parts of the craft that would normally drift aimlessly through space and impacts them into a south pole crater. The resulting plume will give us lots of data about what elements are on the moon, and let us know whether or not there are large stores of water ice frozen in these craters.

I write all of that because Thursday night/Friday morning, the LCROSS impactor will hit the moon. This will be a pretty big deal and, due to careful planning, we can check it out via big telescopes and on NASA TV. If you’re in the Bay Area, Chabot Space & Science Center is hosting a party. I’m sure there are others at planetariums around the world. If you want to throw your own party, NASA put together a whole info kit for you! Enjoy

Little Kids Are So Smart

Jason — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:24:21 +0000

Mad props to Julian. Apparently NASA was already considering this, but they’re going to send him a prize anyway.

Whither Water?

Jason — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:56:30 +0000

From Paul Kedrosky’s Infectious Greed:

500-year history of water flows in the Colorado River

A few things to note:
1) the levels at which the southwestern states draw water was determined during one of the wettest periods during the last 500 years, meaning that each state’s allocation will, by definition, be too high.
2) The mean for this century is higher than the 500-year average due primarily to this wet period.
3) Note that the final blue spike falls roughly in the last 25 years, meaning that those of you who are my age or younger have a memory of water levels that are WAY higher than average.
4) The “drought” we are currently in actually represents a Colorado River level that is roughly at the 500-year average, meaning that we should permanently consume water at this level (if not lower) and not just reduce our consumption for a couple years to “get through it.”